Quick…What’s something you want right now? Something you want to have, do, or be?

I bet you can come up with an answer pretty easily.

We’re all familiar with the idea of wanting something. For more significant desires, we often turn them into a goal or milestone to achieve.

The problem is, the way we set up our goal statements could actually be preventing us from reaching our goals.

Here’s what I mean…

When we say our want in the form of what we DON’T want, we’re focusing on the negative outcome. For example, saying, “I want a job that doesn’t control my life” not only puts your focus on your problem—a job situation that’s driving you crazy—but it also says nothing about what you want to see happen instead.

In order to focus on what we truly desire and have a chance of achieving it, it helps to have an “I want” statement that supports a positive outcome. Here’s how to reframe “I want a job that doesn’t control my life” into a positively focused version:

I want a job that provides flexibility to spend quality time with my family.

I want a job that respects my personal time.

I want a job that gets me excited to start my day!

See the difference in these statements versus the “before” version? I don’t know about you, but thinking about a job that’s controlling my life is kinda depressing. I immediately feel a heaviness. In comparison, saying, “I want a job that gets me excited to start my day” puts a little smile on my face. I imagine myself waking up happy and energized, which is sending my thoughts in a positive direction!

This shift in mindset, while pretty simple, is also pretty powerful. Why? We’re more likely to achieve a goal when we’re excited about it. Plus, focusing on the situation we’re trying to create—as opposed to get out of—will encourage positive results because we’re looking for ways to accomplish what we want.

Are you ready to supercharge your goals?

Here are some simple action steps you can take right now to create energizing and positive-focused goal statements:

1. Become aware of how you frame what you want. Recall what came to mind when I asked you what you wanted at the beginning of this post. When you say or think it, give it the smile/frown test. As in, does declaring your goal make you smile or frown?
2. If it starts off as “I don’t want” or is in the form of wanting something not to happen, take a minute to consider how you can flip your statement into a positive one. What is the best possible scenario? Eliminate words such as can’t, don’t, never, no, not, shouldn’t, and won’t.
3. Repeat your upgraded goal statement.
4. Watch for the smile 🙂

Now that you’re in a positive frame of mind, start taking action on your goal!

Sharing your goals with others is one empowering way to get the ball rolling. I’d love to hear your supercharged goal!